Bijan Robinson delivered a spectacular performance, racking up 194 rushing yards and finding the end zone twice, as the Atlanta Falcons took full advantage of quarterback Michael Penix Jr.'s return and overwhelmed the Green Bay Packers with a 35-14 victory on Thursday night. The Falcons, who entered the game with a 1-2 record, erased an early 7-0 deficit by scoring 27 unanswered points, turning the tide in a stadium that resonated with boos aimed at the home team. Atlanta outgained Green Bay on the ground, posting 242 rushing yards compared with the Packers' meager 17. The loss marked the first time the Packers had been defeated in a home opener since a 30-22 setback to the San Francisco 49ers back in 2012.
That defeat ended a remarkable streak of 13 consecutive home-opening wins that stretched from 2013 through 2025, tying the NFL record previously set by the Miami Dolphins, who also won 13 straight home openers between 1976 and 1988. Michael Penix Jr., returning from a torn ACL suffered in a November 16 loss to Carolina, completed 18 of 25 pass attempts for 256 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. This was Penix's first meaningful action since the injury, and his presence injected much-needed stability into an Atlanta offense that had floundered under Cooper Rush's stewardship during the first two weeks of the season.
Penix's poise helped the Falcons break out of a sluggish start and establish a rhythm that the Packers could not match. Robinson and wide receiver Drake London made history by becoming the first pair of teammates to each record at least 150 yards from scrimmage against the Packers at Lambeau Field.
London hauled in nine receptions for 194 yards, providing a potent aerial complement to Robinson's ground assault. Their combined production forced the Packers' defense into an impossible balancing act, trying to contain both the run and the pass.
On the other side of the ball, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love completed 28 of 53 attempts for 312 yards, delivering two touchdowns but also throwing an interception. The Packers' rushing attack sputtered, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson combining for just 17 yards on eight carries.
The offensive line's woes were evident, as left guard Aaron Banks missed time due to a toe injury and right tackle Zach Bako-Bewele suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear on Sunday. Rookie Jager Burton, a fifth‑round selection from Kentucky, stepped in at left guard for his first career start, while 2025 second‑round pick Anthony Belton took over at right tackle. Discipline issues that plagued Green Bay in its opening two games resurfaced on Thursday.
After the Packers seized an early 7-0 lead and appeared to force a third‑and‑11 incompletion late in the first quarter, Brenton Cox Jr. was flagged for roughing the passer. On the very next play, Robinson burst through for a 55‑yard run that set up his own three‑yard touchdown sprint, swinging momentum firmly into Atlanta's hands.
The Packers had already accumulated an NFL‑high 26 penalties through the first two weeks of the season, a trend that continued to hinder them against a disciplined Falcons unit. Robinson's long run also gave Atlanta its first snap inside an opponent's 20‑yard line of the season, a milestone the Falcons had not reached despite being the first team since the 2008 Rams to go without any red‑zone attempts in the first two weeks. The Falcons capitalized on this advantage, dominating the remainder of the first half and heading into the locker room with a 17-7 lead. In the second quarter, kicker Nick Folk extended Atlanta's lead with a 44‑yard field goal with 4:48 remaining.
After a blocked 47‑yard attempt by Trey Smack, Penix connected on a five‑yard touchdown pass to Austin Hooper on third‑and‑goal with just 59 seconds left before halftime, pushing the score to 24-7. The second half began with Green Bay squandering a red‑zone chance on its opening drive; Love's pass to Christian Watson fell incomplete on fourth‑and‑one from the seven-yard line.
Atlanta responded by widening the gap to 31-7 on its next possession, as Brian Robinson (no relation to Bijan) punched in a seven‑yard touchdown after a methodical 10‑play, 92‑yard drive. Folk added another field goal, this time from 31 yards, early in the fourth quarter.
Love managed to get a late score, throwing a 15‑yard touchdown pass to Matthew Golden with 8:18 left on the clock, but the damage was already done. Bijan Robinson sealed the victory with a two‑yard rush into the end zone, bringing his personal tally to two touchdowns and cementing his status as the game's offensive catalyst. Beyond the immediate statistics, the game highlighted several broader narratives. The Falcons' ability to adapt after an early deficit demonstrated resilience and effective coaching adjustments.
Penix's return signaled that Atlanta's quarterback situation might finally stabilize, allowing the team to develop a more balanced attack. For the Packers, the loss underscored lingering issues with offensive line health, discipline, and the need to protect their quarterback more effectively. The high penalty count and missed opportunities in the red zone suggested that Green Bay must tighten its focus if it hopes to remain competitive in the fiercely contested NFC North. Looking ahead, Atlanta will aim to build on this momentum, hoping to translate the dominant performance against a historically strong home team into a consistent winning streak.
Meanwhile, Green Bay must address its injury woes, reinforce its line play, and reduce penalties if it wants to break the streak of home‑opener defeats that have now become a blemish on its storied franchise. Fans can continue to follow the 2026 NFL season live on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every minute of the playoffs and the upcoming Super Bowl LXI scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027. Viewers also have the option to explore the latest Sky Sports deals or stream games without a contract on the NOW platform.